Balatro developer Locathunk has responded to a debate on AI art, stating “I think it does real harm to artists of all kinds”.
The debate raged on the Balatro subreddit after one of its moderators posted that AI art would not be banned in the community. Many fans believed both Localthunk and the game’s publisher Playstack supported AI art.
As such, Localthunk took to social media first to respond. “I learned about this a little bit earlier – this is not how I feel about AI ‘art’,” he wrote. “I normally wouldn’t say something about the r/balatro community but this doesn’t represent my beliefs nor do I believe it represents how Playstack feels about AI-generated imagery. I don’t condone AI generated ‘art’.”
Then, the developer took to reddit to address the situation once again.
“A mod recently changed the flair in this subreddit for AI generated art making it seem like Playstack condones AI art,” he wrote. “This was not due to a direct order from Playstack (a Playstack representative told me this) but from an interpretation of a message about enforcing the rules of the subreddit.
“Neither Playstack nor I condone AI ‘art’. I don’t use it in my game, I think it does real harm to artists of all kinds. The actions of this mod do not reflect how Playstack feels or how I feel on the topic.”
Localthunk confirmed the moderator has been removed from the team and that AI-generated images will not be allowed on the subreddit.
“Please remember to be excellent to each other – this mod doesn’t deserve hatred. Please leave them alone,” he concluded.
A statement from Playstack followed.
“As LocalThunk points out, we do not support the use of AI art, but perhaps the rules around this should have been clearer so it could not be interpreted as ‘acceptable’,” wrote communications director Wout van Halderen, confirming the mod team will tighten the rules and FAQ on the topic.
AI art is increasingly being used in game development, from Square Enix using the technology for Foamstars, to more recently Activision acknowledging the use of generative AI in Call of Duty (which likely resulted in that six-fingered zombie Santa).
In an unrelated drama, last month the Balatro developer successfully appealed PEGI’s decision to classify the game as PEGI 18 due to its poker theme.
Localthunk previously commented on PEGI’s perceived mishandling of the game’s rating. A year after release, Balatro has been recategorised as suitable for players aged 12 and up.
